Coleman Hawkins (1904-1969)
By Patrick T. Reardon
skeleton
ancient network
burned out
the final sparks of life
and music
linger on
true fire dies hard
(he honeys his tenor sax
for sweet Jesus)
high priests
surround the dying saint
melodic prayers
reverencing the final moments
heavenly prayers to earth
in rhythmic religion
the monster is beyond life
melody’s dying thread is out of place
with tired nerves and sinews
full of awe
Patrick T. Reardon
5.28.19
This poem was originally published in Back Door in 1970.
Written by : Patrick T. Reardon
For more than three decades Patrick T. Reardon was an urban affairs writer, a feature writer, a columnist, and an editor for the Chicago Tribune. In 2000 he was one of a team of 50 staff members who won a Pulitzer Prize for explanatory reporting. Now a freelance writer and poet, he has contributed chapters to several books and is the author of Faith Stripped to Its Essence. His website is https://patricktreardon.com/.
